A depiction of “The Scarlet Letter” as written by Nathaniel Hawpeep” was a winning entry in 2011. (Michelle Albion photo)

DOVER — Most libraries ask their patrons to respect others and refrain from yelling, shouting, and making loud noises.

In Dover, however, a peep — every once in a while — is allowed.

For the sixth consecutive year, the Dover Public Library is hosting its annual Peep Show contest. Contestants build a diorama, using Peeps of any shape and color, to recreate a scene from literature. There are four divisions: Adult, teen, youth, and kids. The winner of each division will receive a $25 Target gift card.

Based on The Washington Post’s “Peep Show,” the library created the contest to encourage Dover residents and those in surrounding communities to express their creativity.

“We knew we had a lot of really creative library patrons and we wanted to see what they could do,” Carolyn Tremblay, the library’s reference librarian, said.

There were more than 80 entries the first few years, when contestants were permitted to create dioramas based on movies as well as literature. The large number of entries threatened to overwhelm the library with the sugary marshmallow treats, so the contest is now restricted to Dover residents and scenes from literature.

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A depiction of the Museum of Extraordinary Peeps. (Michele Albion photo)

Some of the most popular entries, Tremblay said, have portrayed scenes from the “Harry Potter” series. “Good Night Moon” also was popular, and the films “127 Hours” and “Titanic” were portrayed in Peeps when contestants were allowed to depict movie scenes.

One year saw an entry based on “The Other Boleyn Girl” that was called “The Other Boleyn Peep.” The diorama depicted a gathering of peeps on a large scaffold.

“People get really creative,” Tremblay said. “I think a lot of people do it because they like the challenge.”

Dover resident Michele Albion is one of those people. Albion, one of the contest winners in 2011, said it’s important for people to make a connection to the diorama.

“In this world, where so much is on computers and so much is done for you, anything that inspires creativity is a beautiful thing,” Albion said.

“Taking some marshmallow and glue and transforming it into a diorama of a book is a beautiful thing. It might be silly, but it’s beautiful.”

Albion’s winning diorama was based on a scene from “The Scarlet Letter” by Nathaniel “Hawpeep.” Over a dozen peeps dressed in pilgrim attire surrounded a gallows on which the Peep version of the novel’s main character, Hester Prynne, wore the titular scarlet letter “A”.

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How a “wolfman” would appear as a wolfpeep. (Michele Albion photo)

Albion’s entry in this year’s contest is based on Alice Hoffman’s “Museum of Extraordinary Things.” Retitled “Museum of Extraordinary Peeps,” it features the marshmallow critters decorated with fabrics and other craft materials to look like a mermaid and the Wolfman.

Albion, 47, said, “I take the books I happen to like and say, ‘How can I make that work?’ I find it very therapeutic. It’s lots of fun. To be able to get a message across with Peeps is a challenge.”

In addition to bringing out the creative side of contestants, the library hopes the contest will encourage participants to explore literature.

Kimberly Young, 27, a doctoral student in literature at UNH who designed a diorama based on the first Hunger Games book, said, “I think it’s good for kids. It encourages them to talk about books they like. It’s another reason to get them into the library.”